Douche-chair.



s. A. MBNDENHALL.

DOUGHB CHAIR.

Ar rmcuzon mm 11:12.11. 190s.

Patented Dec. 29, 1908.

SARAH ANN MENDENHALL, OF HAMBURG, IOWA.

DOUCHE-GHAIR.

Specification of Letters Patent. 7

Patented Dec. 29, 1908.

Application filed February 11, 1908. Serial No. 415,407.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SARAH A. MENDEN- HALL, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Hamburg, in the county of Fremont and State of Iowa,have invented a new and useful Douche-Chair, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to operating tables.

The objects of the invention'are to provide a tableor apparatus of thischaracter, adapted more articularly'for the administration of rectaenemas and vaginal douches, in the employment of which the patient willbe supported in the most advantageous and comfortable position tosecurethe best results from the treatment; in which the evacuated matter maybe disposed of in a manner that will not be offensive either to thepatient, or to the attendant, if there be one; to provide for thenecessary adjustment of the parts of the apparatus to bring the limbsand body of the patient to the proper position to secure the mostefficacious injection of the remedial or other agents; to render all ofthe parts that will be exposed to contact with contaminative matterthoroughly sanitary and cleanly; to adapt the a paratus to be knockeddown or col apsed W en not in use, thus to occupy but small space; and,generally, to improve the construction and extend the range ofusefulness of apparatus ofthis character.

With the above and other objects in view, as will appear as the natureof the invention is better understood, the same consists in, the novelconstruction, arrangement and combination of parts of an operatingtable, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed. I

In the accompanying drawings forminga part of this specification and inwhich llke characters of reference indicate corresponding parts: Figure1 is a view in erspective of an o crating table constructe in accordancewith the present invention- Fig. 2 is a perspective detail view of areceptacle used in connection with the table when vaginal irrigationsare being administered, and which will hereinafter be termed a douchepan. Fig. 3 is a similar view of a receptacle used in connection withthe table 'when rectal enemas are being administered, and which willhereinafter be termed a commode. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view ofa part of the table. 7. r F

' The apparatus comprises a frame embodying two side rails 1 and 2, andtwo end rails 3 and 5, the former having secured to them, and on theirinner sides, longitudinal supporting bars 5, (one only being shown) thefunction of which will presently appear.

At the four corners of the frame, and on the inner sides thereof arearranged supporting legs 6 that are pivotally connected at 7 to the bars5 and to the side rails. These legs are adapted to befolded inward andto lie along the inner sides of the side rails, thus to facilitatehandling the apparatus, and also to cause it to occu y but small spacewhen not in use. The legs are limited in their outward movement by theend rails, and in order to prevent inward movement thereof, when theapparatusis in use, each leg has combined with it a two-part brace 8,one member of each of which is pivotally connected with one of the legsand the other member with one of the bars 5. The two brace members areconnected by an ordinary rule-j oint 9, the break of which is upward, aswill be understood by reference to Fig. 1.

Pivotally connected with the end rail 3 by eyes '10 and hookslO", oneonly of each being shown in Fig. 4, is a table or platform 11 upon whichthe upper ortion of the body of the patient may rec ine. held at anydesired angle of adjustment by' a pair of longitudinally adjustable legs12, the upper ends of which are pivoted to brackets 13 secured to theunder side of the table at or adjacent to its end, and, preferably,close to its outer side. Each of these legs consists of two members 14and 14", the former of which is ivotally connected with a bracket, andthe latter being provided with a longitudinal slot 14 through whichproject two bolts 14 and 144*, the former hav. ing combined with it awinged nut 14 and the latter being headed to hold the two sectionsassembled and also to act as a guide. The members 14 are connected neartheir lower ends by a rung 15, by which the legs are stayed. To elevatethe table 11, the winged'nuts 14 are loosened, and the operator placeshis or her foot upon the rung 15 and draws upward upon the table, andwhen the proper adjustment is secured, the nuts 14 are again tightened.By the provision of the hooks 10 and eyes 10 that connect the table withthe end rail, the former may be readily disconnected therefrom, and

This table is v which are secure by reason of the pivotal connection ofthe legs 12 with the table, the former may be folded against theunderside of the latter, and thus occupy but a small space.

At the foot of the frame is arranged a cross-piece or support 16 to theterminals of 7 two end plates or pieces 17 that are pivotally connectedat 18 to the outer sides of the side rails. One of the end plates isprovided with a finger 19 that is adapted to be engaged by a toe 20carried by a spring 21 firmly secured to the side rail 2, whereby tohold the cross-piece 16 in the position shown in Fig 1, when theapparatus is in use. As will be obvious, by releasing the toe fromengagement with the finger, the cross-piece may be folded inward andrest upon the upper edges of the side rails.

The cross-piece has secured to its u per edge a hollow rectangular guide22 in w iich works a standard 23 having a plurality of spaced orifices24 that are designed to be engaged by a pin 25 carried by the guide andoperating to hold the standard at any desired vertical adjustment. Theupper inner end ortion of the standard carries a bracket or hook-shapedarm 26 that supports a fountain syringe bag 27 with which will beconnected a tube that carries an appropriate nozzle, not shown.

As a means for supporting the limbs of a patient at any desired angle orat any required plane above the table while enemas or douches are beingadministered, a limb support is provided at each side of the former, andthese supports are adapted for vertical and arcuate adjustments. Eachsupport comprises an arm 28 that is provided with a longitudinal slot 29through which projects a bolt 30 carried by the side rail and havingcombined with it a winged nut 31 by which the arm may be clamped at anydesired adjustment. The upper end of the arm carries a longitudinallycurved appropriately padded limb-rest 32 that is pivotally mounted in aslot in the arm and is provided with a shoulder 33 which, by contactwith the inner face of the arm, will hold the rest against inwardmovement beyond an approximately horizontal plane. The rests are adaptedto 5 be swung outward and downward against the outer sides of the arm,thus to be out of the way.

The douche pan shown in Fig. 2 comprises va receptacle 34 of metal,properly treated, as by being enameled, to render it sanitary, and whichis provided with a curved bottom and straight side and end walls. One ofthe end walls has connected with it adjacent to the bottom and at itscenter line a discharge pipe 36 that is adapted to be closed by a plug37 when the pan is in 1 use, and below the pipe is a spout 38 that willoperate to direct the contents of the pan into a to a support 39 whichis constructed preferably of wood, and is of a length and width to fitwithin the frame and to rest upon the bars 5. The support is providedwith a longitudinal opening 40 somewhat smaller than the receptacle, andhas its end walls preferably curved. This opening will be of a size toaccommodate the buttocks of the patient and of a length to permit readyapplication of the douche. In order to sustain the hips of the patient,a longitudinally curved hip rest 41 is secured to one of the end wallsof the opening 40 and is disposed at the proper angle to the support toinsure perfect comfort. This rest will be covered with rubber or treatedin such manner as to render it proof against the retention of anyforeign matter, so that sanitation is assured.

The commode shown in Fig. 3 comprises a casing 42 preferably of wood,properly treated to render it sanitary, and which is provided with astraight bottom, side and end walls. One of the end walls 43 constitutesa door which is slidably connected with the casing, and carries afastening device 44 of any preferred construction to hold the doorclosed. This casing is of a size to receive a suitable vessel to catchthe fecal matter discharged as the result of an enema.

The casing is secured to a support 45 constructed. preferably of wood,and of a length and width to fit within the frame and to rest upon thebars 5. The support is provided with the usual opening 46 which isadapted to be closed by a cover 47 hinged at 48 to the sup ort, thecover serving also as a rest for the ack of the patient when using thecommode.

In order that a patient may be shielded from unnecessary exposure duringtreatment, there is a curtain support 49 provided which is constructedof a length of heavy wire or tubing, one end of which is secured to theside rail 1, and the other end of which extended to the foot of thetable and secured to the guide 22.

The side rail 1 is provided with a crotched syringe nozzle holder 50,and each of the supports 39 and 45 with appropriate handles 51 by whichthe douche pan and com- 1 mode can be lifted to and from the table.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is 1. Thecombination with a frame, of a table arranged at the head thereof andfoldable into the frame, a cross-piece pivotally connected with the footof the frame and foldable over upon the same, means for automaticallylocking the cross-piece in vertical position, and an adjustable standardcarried by the foot piece.

2. The combination with a frame, of an angularly adjustable tablepivotally connected with the head thereof and foldable suitablereceiver. The receptacle is secured 1 into the frame, a receptaclesupported by the frame, a cross piece pivotally connected with the footof the frame and loldable over the same, means for automatically lockinthe cross piece in vertical position, an a justable standard carried bythe cross piece, and vertically adjustable rocking limb supports carriedby the frame.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

SARAH ANN MENDENHALL.

Witnesses:

SARAH PAGE, SARAH M. WOODWARD.

